Preview — Forgiveness
by Grace R. Duncan

Forgiveness

Ben's love can help Eric find the forgiveness he needs... if Eric can accept it.

Nine years ago Eric Joyce went wolf when his chosen mate broke the bond, and he hasn’t walked on two legs since. Convinced he lost his friends when he ran out on them, he cut himself off from the pack. But a surprising visitor prods him back down the mountain, and he finds himself welcomed waBen's love can help Eric find the forgiveness he needs... if Eric can accept it.

Nine years ago Eric Joyce went wolf when his chosen mate broke the bond, and he hasn’t walked on two legs since. Convinced he lost his friends when he ran out on them, he cut himself off from the pack. But a surprising visitor prods him back down the mountain, and he finds himself welcomed warmly.

Ben Arellano grew up in Texas with a human Catholic mother who didn’t understand a thing about wolves—and didn’t try to learn. He spent his whole life being told his wolf was a demon that needed to be exorcised, surrounded by a wolf pack made up of good ole boys who had no tolerance for his Mexican ancestry or his bisexuality. When he’s given the opportunity to relocate to an accepting pack in Pittsburgh, he jumps at the chance.

When Eric and Ben meet for the first time, neither is ready for it. Where Ben expects rejection, Eric is convinced yet another mate will leave, break the bond, and put him through the same hell all over again. Can they get past their reservations and have a happily mated life?...more

I really enjoyed the previous book in the "Forbes Mates" series, so I was very curious about Eric's story, since he was a big reason for Tanner's behavior in book 1.

9 Years ago, Eric's chosen mate broke their bond. leaving Eric to retreat into his wolf-form and run.

He has been gone all this time, nurturing his broken, when unexpected help turns up and leads him back to the right path... Back to his old pack, where he is warmly welcomed back.

Ben is the son of a wolf shifter father and a human mot

I really enjoyed the previous book in the "Forbes Mates" series, so I was very curious about Eric's story, since he was a big reason for Tanner's behavior in book 1.

9 Years ago, Eric's chosen mate broke their bond. leaving Eric to retreat into his wolf-form and run.

He has been gone all this time, nurturing his broken, when unexpected help turns up and leads him back to the right path... Back to his old pack, where he is warmly welcomed back.

Ben is the son of a wolf shifter father and a human mother. To say his mother had a few screws loose it putting it mildly. She raised Ben to believe his wolf was a demon, which left him really insecure about his wolf form.

I was just as excited as he was, when he left to join the Forbes pack, as their new accountant.

Now before I go any further, you should know that there is a difference between a "chosen" mate and a "destined" mate. Actually the words say it all A chosen mate is one you choose and claime for and by yourself. A "destined" mate is someone, who Destiny has chosen for you.... a perfect pairing. When a wolf gets close to his destined mate...he will know...there is no doubt about it !!

So I guess you know where I am going with my story !!

When Ben arrives at the Forbes Pack, it's becomes clear real soon, that Ben and Eric are "destined mates". Both of them are "carefully" happy about this fact. But Eric is still dealing with the wound, his "chosen" mate has left him with, so he is cautious in claiming Ben... He wants some more time to heal before he is ready.

Ben is very understanding. In fact he was way more understanding than I was.

I thought it took him way too long to come to his senses. I mean, he already spend 9 years in his wolf form, trying to get over the hurt. That should have been enough I think, but hey...I have never been dumped by my "chosen" mate, so I could be wrong !!

It's just that, I understand him being wary about being hurt again, but this was his "destined" mate, who didn't have the easiest of lives either...

This is definitely a "slow burn" romance and even though I really enjoyed reading it, it's not my favorite in the series. That honor still goes to "Patience", the second book in this series.

A note for those that haven't read the series: There are two types of mates in this world: destined and chosen. A destined mate is recognized immediately - their wolves recognize each other and their scents drive each other crazy. Simply meeting starts the bonding process, which is finished through sexual intercourse and biting.Chosen mates form a similar bond, but only after sex and the bite. They don't have the same recognition as destined mates, but they and their wolves are usually still quiA note for those that haven't read the series: There are two types of mates in this world: destined and chosen. A destined mate is recognized immediately - their wolves recognize each other and their scents drive each other crazy. Simply meeting starts the bonding process, which is finished through sexual intercourse and biting.Chosen mates form a similar bond, but only after sex and the bite. They don't have the same recognition as destined mates, but they and their wolves are usually still quite happy, and their bond is almost as strong.The bond is described like a thick vine made up of many twisted strands.

After his chosen mate broke their bond Eric Joyce shifted to his wolf and ran. It's been nine years since he's been home and since he's been human when he meets a mysterious stranger who tells him it's time to go home...

“My poor lost wolf,” she murmured, tilting her head in a mimic of him, considering him. “I understand your pain, but you are not ready to be wolf all the time. You have more to do in your human form, and you need your pack. My wolves aren’t meant to be alone, not like this. It is time—past time—for you to return to your pack and those who love you.”

Eric returns and is shocked at how long he's been gone because time moves differently then they are in wolf form. Now because of his extended time as a wolf Eric's lost some fine motor skills and needs to relearn how to use his opposable thumbs again.

Ben Arellano grew up with a human mother who demonized his wolf half. Even though she's one half of a destined mates pair because of her very Catholic upbringing Ben's mom has more issues than People magazine. Ben's father protected him as much as possible, but between his mother and living in a very gold-'ol-boy area of Texas, Ben has suppressed his wolf, and bisexuality, most of his life.

Ben's father helps him find a job with the Forbes pack as their new accountant and on the day Ben arrives at Alpha Tanner's home he meets his destined mate: Eric. Ben is cautious, but happy, and accepts that Eric has to work through his past first before they can claim each other.

“I cannot exactly understand. I have never been through what you’ve been through, but I can be patient, Eric. I have wanted my mate for so long, and I will wait. You are worth it.”“I hope you can. It could take a long time for me to get past some of this.”“I’m sure it will. But I will help you if I can.”

Eric and Ben are two men with hard pasts and Forgiveness is about reconciling what's gone on before, for both of them, so they can build a future together.

“I do not want anyone else, cariño. Until you tell me you do not want me at all—and even then, I do not think I will do anything. Even if you outright reject me, I do not see myself wanting anyone else. I already care about you. I hurt for all you’ve been through.” He closed his eyes when Eric slid his arms around him and held him tight.“I won’t. I mean it, Ben. I’m not going to reject you. I… I don’t think I have it in me. My wolf wants you. I am sure you were given to me by Diana herself. I can be a bit of an idiot, but not that much.”Ben chuckled. “Well, then. We just give it time.”

I really liked getting to see some of my favorite characters from the other Forbes Mates series, with all of them getting some page time and each of them helping Eric and Ben to realize what they've been given.

This is a sort of slow burn romance, even though they are destined mates. Personally, I found myself frustrated with the time it took for Eric to finally claim Ben, even though he accepted Ben was his destined mate immediately. There's a very long time before he finally realizes that Ben is not like his chosen mate and that a destined mate would never willingly break their bond. I was also confused with Ben's mother and her attitude (which seemed really odd to me because she was half of a destined pair).

Forgiveness is a story about overcoming your past and learning to trust, with a bit of angst, and a very happy ending.

“Eres mío. Para siempre.” He kissed the spot on Ben’s neck he’d bite in a short while. “You are a gift to me from Diana. You are mine, for always.”

Please note that this is not a standalone story. You really should read the other books in the series before beginning Forgiveness.

My heart cries when I read about a lost one...Eric is a lost one... lonely... deliberately because he disappeared nine years ago as a wolf and hasn't shifted back to human until now.Heading back home to Pittsburgh to his best friend Tanner, now alpha of the pack, Eric has to learn again to be human.

Ben deeply hurt by his own mother who refuses to acknowledge the wolf in him and his bisexuality, causes him to flee to another pack in PittFrom the first line.. I was sold. It felt so kind and sweet.

My heart cries when I read about a lost one...Eric is a lost one... lonely... deliberately because he disappeared nine years ago as a wolf and hasn't shifted back to human until now.Heading back home to Pittsburgh to his best friend Tanner, now alpha of the pack, Eric has to learn again to be human.

Ben deeply hurt by his own mother who refuses to acknowledge the wolf in him and his bisexuality, causes him to flee to another pack in Pittsburgh hoping they will accept him.

When Ben and Eric meet, they know... only both are not ready at all.It's always impressive to see how mates or pack members are so in tuned. How they feel, smell, and hear each other. And for mates how, they naturally fit together.

Eric struggles heavily with the hurt caused by an earlier relationship. He doesn’t think he can ever trust again. At some point I couldn't hear the name of that person anymore it was a bit too much. Ben struggles throughout with the deep-rooted feeling he will never be good enough.

They have to work hard to get strong and stay strong, but they get help from the most beautiful creature.

The journey shows us how deeply hurt wolves try to find a way to each other.It was a slow burn. Both men had sweet personalities even at the moments when I had trouble accepting some boundaries. All the friends who surrounded them were well written. We get a deeper look into their different interrelationships. The story is written in a sweet, considerate, positive, and emotional way, with a lot of love exposed.

I love stories with wolf pack. They have an unconditional bond I wish people had.

I flew through this, from opening the file this morning until finishing it tonight, with grumbled interruptions for such pesky things as lunch and dinner and errands needing to be run.

The romance was slow burn, frustrating at times, and sweet at other times. The mythology is still well done, and I enjoyed catching up with the couples from previous books.

Nine years ago, Eric's chosen mate broke their bond, and he's been in wolf form ever since, roaming the woods, thinking he can never go home agI flew through this, from opening the file this morning until finishing it tonight, with grumbled interruptions for such pesky things as lunch and dinner and errands needing to be run.

The romance was slow burn, frustrating at times, and sweet at other times. The mythology is still well done, and I enjoyed catching up with the couples from previous books.

Nine years ago, Eric's chosen mate broke their bond, and he's been in wolf form ever since, roaming the woods, thinking he can never go home again. An unexpected encounter leads him home, returning him to his human form, having to learn to be human all over again. Opposing thumbs are a tricky thing if you've been on paws for a long time.

Soon after coming home, Eric runs into Ben, a newcomer to their pack, and finds his destined mate, the person their goddess has chosen just for him, a mate that trumps a chosen one.

And Eric freaks out.

Because he's a dumbass. Because he's been hurt and he doesn't trust that this one won't also leave him.

Like I said, this was a frustrating read at times - I wanted to slap him in multiple times as Eric keeps asking for time and patience, and Ben was a fucking SAINT and kept giving Eric time and space and whatever he needed, because that's what destined mates do.

Ben has some struggles of his own - for all his life, his mother told him that the wolf within is a demon to be kept inside. I couldn't for the life of me figure out why Ben's father would choose his wife (a destined mate also, but one who never took the bite to become wolf) over his son, when he could see how much his wife's ranting about the demon-wolf hurt his kid. He never really stepped in to stop her from inflicting this emotional abuse on his son. I was ENRAGED! And then she... well, no, I won't give that away.

But Eric and Ben have friends now, and they have support, and they learn, they grow, and they accept what Diana has given them.

I would say that this book was probably my least favorite of this series. For one, I found Eric disappearing for nine years a bit long, considering that Kim wasn't his destined mate. Secondly, I strongly disliked that both important females in this book were portrayed as uber-bitchy and had few, if any, redeeming qualities. I really don't like that in a book.

The author has a writing style that works well for this type of book, and there weren't any lulls in the plot or any kind of big time jumps. I appreciated seeing couples from the previous books all step up to help Eric and Ben where they can - the sense of family, of belonging, is strong with this series.

While this could be read as a stand-alone, I would recommend you read this series in order for full impact.

** I received a free copy of this book from its publisher in exchange for an honest review. **...more

Slow going, Eric finally excepting Ben then Ben being more confident with his wolf took probably 80% of the book. I think I enjoyed Ben’s trip home for Christmas more than anything and the epilogue jumping 8 years ahead was a little confusing. I wanted to love this book because I do like all the characters and I love how they made their pack family and get along but more action and maybe more drama needs to be added. 😉Eric’s saying I’m not ready and poor Ben trying to be understanding got to beSlow going, Eric finally excepting Ben then Ben being more confident with his wolf took probably 80% of the book. I think I enjoyed Ben’s trip home for Christmas more than anything and the epilogue jumping 8 years ahead was a little confusing. I wanted to love this book because I do like all the characters and I love how they made their pack family and get along but more action and maybe more drama needs to be added. 😉Eric’s saying I’m not ready and poor Ben trying to be understanding got to be really boring and so old. ...more

I empathized with Eric in a couple of ways. To fall in love, to choose to mate and claim her, then have her leave because you aren’t who she thought she was “getting”, and to have her cheat on you and break the bond, causing immense physical and emotional anguish that brought your wolf forward, well that isn’t something that can be taken lightly. It does explain why Eric has been gone for nine years living as a wolf. Ben, coming from East Texas - you know, that really liberal part of the countryI empathized with Eric in a couple of ways. To fall in love, to choose to mate and claim her, then have her leave because you aren’t who she thought she was “getting”, and to have her cheat on you and break the bond, causing immense physical and emotional anguish that brought your wolf forward, well that isn’t something that can be taken lightly. It does explain why Eric has been gone for nine years living as a wolf. Ben, coming from East Texas - you know, that really liberal part of the country (HA!) - just wants to be accepted within the pack for being bisexual and Hispanic. It was Ben’s dad who actually found the Forbes pack for his son to move to in order to get a much-needed break from his mom and to be able to be himself and live his life. Nothing goes right from the moment these two men meet, realize they are each other’s destined mate, and Eric wolfs out and runs away. Thank goodness Eric has Tanner to explain what not communicating with his mate almost did to him and Finley.

“I’m not rejecting you.” The relief in Ben’s eyes would have been obvious to a blind man. “You’re… not?” Eric shook his head. “No, I’m not. I don’t know how things will go and… I don’t know when… or how long things might take, but I’m not going to reject you. You, uh, need to understand some things, though, okay?”

I really liked the upfront and honest communication Ben and Eric started off with it. It truly does make everything so much better. Ben was amazingly patient with Eric’s fears and he broke my heart a little when some of Ben’s memories of the way his mamá treated him, and his wolf, growing up came out. I understood she is human and very Catholic, but to treat your destined mate husband and your children as if they had demons inside them? I understood Ben’s fears of being rejected so much better once I saw his childhood through his eyes.

I have enjoyed this series and am sad to say this was my least favorite of the 4 books. I just felt like Eric drew out his heartache a little long, 9 years...9 flipping years....and he still makes his destined mate wait.

This installment of the Forbes Mates series was so sugary sweet I had to make an appointment with my dentist. Seriously, it was ooey-gooey loving with wolf fur thrown in. And to be honest, although I liked it, by the end of the book, I couldn’t wait to get to the epilogue. The author could have easily cut 50 or more pages of self-absorbed, angsty reflection on behalf of both MCs because it was bad enough the first time they hashed and rehashed their issues, but by the tenth or so time they wentThis installment of the Forbes Mates series was so sugary sweet I had to make an appointment with my dentist. Seriously, it was ooey-gooey loving with wolf fur thrown in. And to be honest, although I liked it, by the end of the book, I couldn’t wait to get to the epilogue. The author could have easily cut 50 or more pages of self-absorbed, angsty reflection on behalf of both MCs because it was bad enough the first time they hashed and rehashed their issues, but by the tenth or so time they went over the same stuff, I was so ready for them to either bond or run away. I just wanted the end to come.

Eric was alpha Tanner’s best friend and when his mate broke his bond nine years ago, he was so distraught that he took on his wolf form, ran way, and stayed away all this time. It’s not until the goddess Diana appears to him in his dreams to tell him everything will be all right if he returns that he finally comes back to humanity. And it not long after he gets back that the new accountant arrives and wham the two men are knocked for a loop when they meet and realize they are destined mates.

Ben Arellano grew up in Texas, the son of a shifter dad and human mother—who also happened to be strictly Catholic and prayed constantly that his demon would go away. She was so emotionally abusive about his wolf that the poor child feared transforming each full moon and had to hide from her if he wanted to change and go for a run. So, needless to say, he’s less than confident of his abilities as a wolf, but at least he’s managed to leave her behind when he comes to PA to start a new life.

Both men undergo pages and pages…and more pages of self-doubt and angst. Eric refuses to complete the bond with Ben due to his fear of abandonment. Ben is a sweetheart and constantly tells Eric he understands. And even when the two eventually kiss and do other things to strengthen their bond, Eric’s doubt remains. To be honest, it felt overplayed. As I said, a few less pages would have been good here. And Ben doubted his abilities as a wolf and had to relearn how to shift quickly. He also wasn’t good with self-defense moves, but he kept trying and he was the ever-patient partner that Eric needed.

There’s some drama involving Eric’s former mate and more drama, or potential drama, surrounding Ben’s family toward the end of the story but on the whole, this is a fairly mild, sugary sweet MM shifter romance with the drama primarily internalized. I’d recommend the story to anyone who is looking for an easy read with not much more to the plot than how two fated mates eventually overcome their fears and find their way to their HEA.

A copy of this ARC was provided through Hearts on Fire Reviews in exchange for an honest review. ...more

I hate to say it, but this was probably my least favorite book in the whole series. Which is especially sad, because I was really looking forward to Eric's story. This was like....slow burn, but done stupid. Stupid slow burn. And I don't mean to be super harsh, but it was an unnecessarily slow, slow burn. So much that when they finally mated, the build up wasn't worth it anymore, and I was just ready for the story to be over.

Ben is a sweetie, and WAY too patient and understanding for his own goI hate to say it, but this was probably my least favorite book in the whole series. Which is especially sad, because I was really looking forward to Eric's story. This was like....slow burn, but done stupid. Stupid slow burn. And I don't mean to be super harsh, but it was an unnecessarily slow, slow burn. So much that when they finally mated, the build up wasn't worth it anymore, and I was just ready for the story to be over.

Ben is a sweetie, and WAY too patient and understanding for his own good. I get that Eric went through something horrible, but he had NINE years to realize that a "chosen" mate is nowhere the same as a "destined" mate, and that Ben would NEVER do what his ex did to him. UGH, it was just frustrating to read about. Ben was just way too good for Eric.

And then when they are getting to know each other, there is another personal pet peeve of mine - the overuse of the petnames. I can only read baby and carino so many times before enough is enough, but that's definitely just a personal preference of mine.

Maybe if this had been more of a novella story, where there wasn't so much drama over Eric worrying about Ben rejecting him, I don't know. But to me, this story dragged and it wasn't nearly as engaging or in depth as the previous stories in this series are. I'd recommend this series still, and I loved getting to see the couples from the previous books in this one!...more

I adore this “world”. It follows the classic shifter “rules” but has this element of “real” to it that makes it feel a bit more authentic without removing the shine of the magic that comes with being able to shift.

The characters are very well developed and I really appreciate seeing the same characters interact with one another as the series proceeds.

In this case I thought Eric was a little annoying in his insistence to resist Ben when clearly everything in his viciniThis is such a great series!

I adore this “world”. It follows the classic shifter “rules” but has this element of “real” to it that makes it feel a bit more authentic without removing the shine of the magic that comes with being able to shift.

The characters are very well developed and I really appreciate seeing the same characters interact with one another as the series proceeds.

In this case I thought Eric was a little annoying in his insistence to resist Ben when clearly everything in his vicinity is showing him that Ben is nothing like his first “mate” – but…. I was glad to see Ben and Eric together for the story rather than fighting their attraction apart.

The chemistry and tenderness these two share was really great and I loved them as a couple.

Highly recommended to fans of the author and the series and though I think you could easily read this as a standalone I think it is MUCH better as part of the series in order.

This was a really good read. I have not read any of the previous books in this series but I will say that this was a really good read. I also liked the fact that this book could be read as a standalone. There was precious characters from the books before this one but it was not confusing because Grace gave some background on the characters and their relationships so that the reader was not lost if they had never read another book in the series.

Eric has been in his wolf form for many years. WhatThis was a really good read. I have not read any of the previous books in this series but I will say that this was a really good read. I also liked the fact that this book could be read as a standalone. There was precious characters from the books before this one but it was not confusing because Grace gave some background on the characters and their relationships so that the reader was not lost if they had never read another book in the series.

Eric has been in his wolf form for many years. What led him to turn and run away is where this story really begins. He had a chosen mate at an early age and thought that they would be together forever. So when that did not turn out that way and when he felt the bond broken, this is what led him to run and not look back. Or at least not until his goddess, Diana came to him and told him that it was time for him to go home and return to his human form.

At first Eric was not convinced that this was the right thing to do but when he does finally return and Tanner, his best friend is the one to greet him he knows that coming home is the right thing to do. When he realizes just how long he was gone, Eric truly is stunned. Not only because of how long he had been gone but because now Tanner is the alpha and he is mated to his destined mate, a male. So Eric had more then a few shockers upon his return.

Nothing was more shocking then finding his own destined mate just days after his return and the fact that his destined mate is a male as well. Shocked but not disappointed because Eric knew he was bisexual but shocked because he never told anyone about this including his best friend.

When Ben comes to work for a new pack as their accountant, his only hope is that they will accept him. He never expected to walk in and immediately meet his destined mate and for it to be a male as well. To say that Ben is happy is an understatement. The only problem is upon first meeting it seems that Eric may reject him without even getting to know him. This truly hurts Ben.

After some coaxing on Tanner’s part with Eric, Eric agrees to give Ben a chance and to help Ben understand why he will need some time.

Can a man that has been hurt so badly in the past, finally move forward and accept his new future? Will Ben be able to be patient with Eric and understand that time is what Eric really needs and trust?

This was a good read. It is somewhat emotional and it is slow building romance but it was well worth the wait for these two men. Grace did an incredible job on this book. I also like that she gave background on other supporting characters because I did not feel like I was lost when it came to them. This was a great read and I look forward to more books by Grace in the future.

Was given this galley copy for free for an open and honest review ...more

Rating: 3 starsThis was not my favorite in the series that’s for sure. I liked the MCs okay, but the whole story revolved around their fears of completing the mate bond and it just seem to drag out forever. If I had to say one positive thing about it, it would be that at least they communicated and there was no “big misunderstanding” to get in the way of their mating. Overall, I was just bored with the story and it was a struggle to finish it. A friend lent me her copy of the story and I’m gladRating: 3 starsThis was not my favorite in the series that’s for sure. I liked the MCs okay, but the whole story revolved around their fears of completing the mate bond and it just seem to drag out forever. If I had to say one positive thing about it, it would be that at least they communicated and there was no “big misunderstanding” to get in the way of their mating. Overall, I was just bored with the story and it was a struggle to finish it. A friend lent me her copy of the story and I’m glad that she did as I didn’t really like it enough to re-read it at some future date....more

Grace Duncan grew up with a wild imagination. She told stories from an early age - many of which got her into trouble. Eventually, she learned to channel that imagination into less troublesome areas, including fanfiction, which is what has led her to writing male/male erotica.

A gypsy in her own right, Grace has lived all over the United States. She has currently set up camp in East Texas with herGrace Duncan grew up with a wild imagination. She told stories from an early age - many of which got her into trouble. Eventually, she learned to channel that imagination into less troublesome areas, including fanfiction, which is what has led her to writing male/male erotica.

A gypsy in her own right, Grace has lived all over the United States. She has currently set up camp in East Texas with her husband and children - both the human and furry kind.

As one of those rare creatures who loves research, Grace can get lost for hours on the internet, reading up on any number of strange and different topics. She can also be found writing fanfiction, reading fantasy, crime, suspense, romance and other erotica or even dabbling in art. ...more